Musical instrument



June 24, 1930. w. B. PARKINSON 1,767,998

MUS IGAL INSTRUMENT Filed Sept. 16, 1929 ATTORNEY Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM B. PARKINSON, OF LE MARS, IOWA MUSICAL INSTRUMENT This invention relates to musical instruments and more particularly to those of the flute family. a

A primary object of the invention is to provide a melody instrument especially designed for use in childrens bands, the use of which will lay a foundation for other instrumental work later on, it being so constructed as to start the coordination of the tongue and fingers of the user necessary in using wood wind instruments, and also to develop embouchure or lipping such as is required in the use of brass instruments.

In carrying out these objects, the invention is susceptible of a wide range of modification without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the claimed invention, there being shown in the drawings for illustrative purposes a preferred and practical form, in which:

Figure 1 represents a front elevation of an instrument constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof with the vibrato key shown open.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of the lip-shaping member which is also used in connection with the playing of the instrument.

In the embodiment illustrated a flute-like instrument is shown having the usual tubular body 1 with longitudinally spaced finger controlled openings 2, a mouth 3 and a cup mouth piece 4 similar to a comet mouth piece, the latter being provided to avoid the mouths of children being injured and to assist in determining the players adaptability to instruments of the brass family having a similar mouth piece.

The chromatic tuner vibrato key 10, which constitutes the gist of the invention, as shown is constructed of a piece of wire bent into substantially U-shaped form and having a spring 11 formed in one leg thereof to provide sufiicient resiliency in the operation of the key 10. The leg 12 which carries the key pad 13 overlies the coil spring 11, the pad to be manipulated by the thumb of the left hand of the player. This key 10 is shown attached to the body of the instrument by soldering or 50 otherwise securing the arm 14 to the instrument at the free end thereof beyond the coil spring 11 formed therein.

A key guide 15 in the form of a keeper is secured to one side of the instrument adjacent the mouth 3 thereof and through which is slidably mounted a right angularly disposed pad carrying portion 16 of the key arm 12. This key guide is sufficiently large to permit the end l6to1nove side ways so that a small part of the mouth may be uncovered when desired. This is accomplished by pushing forward against the thumb piece 12 while operating the key. When a very small part of the mouth 3 is covered a slight variation in pitch is produced which results in a vibrato effect thus enhancing the tone qualities.

The pad 13 which is preferably made of cork, felt or other suitable substance is mounted in a seat 17 which has open ends to permit the pad to be slipped longitudinally in the seat to rovide for the pitch adjustment thereof. hen correctly placed an ordinary up and down movement of the key moves the pad 13 correspondingly and changes the pitch one-half step. This may be applied to any tone on the instrument.

It will thus be seen that this key 10 renders the instrument full chromatic. It will also be seen that this key may be operated in such a way that all the changes that occur between the two points mentioned above may be obtained and is useful when the player desires to humor certain tones and bring them in perfect tune.

What is termed a thumb hook 18 projects laterally from the lower end of the instrument and is designed to support the thumb during the manipulation of the finger openings2 of the instrument.

A music holder 19 is shown mounted on the lower end of the instrument body and it may be of any suitable or desired construction.

The cup-shaped mouth piece 4 with which this instrument is shown equipped is similar to a mouth piece of a comet and is designed to eliminate the danger of injuring the mouths of children and to assist them in determining their adaptability to instruments of the brass family using a similar mouth piece.

The operation of the key 10 is understood and is manipulated to lower the pad 13 by depressing the key in such a way that it partly closes the mouth 3 which is where the tone is produced and thus lowers the pitch of the instrument.

To assist in the use of the mouth piece & a ring 21 here shown carried on the handle end of a cleaning s ab 20 is used to find the center of the lips of the player. This ring 21 has a cross bar or wire 22 to be placed on the lips to center the ring on the lips.- Then by turning the ring the bar is spaced somewhat further from the lips and the lips may be buzzed in preparation for producing a tone on the cup mouthpiece. This development is continued further when the lips are placed on the cup mouthpiece of the flute. It can readily be seen that by turning the ring from the position where the bar engages the lips to a position at right angles thereto, the lips may be centered on the mouthpiece of the musical wind instrument relative to the corners of said lips as well as centered at right angles tosaid lip corner centering position and the buzzing of the lips and their position may be observed by the instructor.

From the above description it will be seen that this instrument may be cheaply constructed and yet will be fully chromatic and may be oi a suitable pitch and key for use as a solo instrument, as well as for orchestra use. The lingering, tonguiug, music reading, etc., the same as in any other instrument of this character.

\Vithout further description it is thought that the features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and it will, of course, be understood that changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or its scope as claimed.

I claim:

1. A musical wind instrument comprising a tubular body having a mouth in one side wall. a pad, a mounting for said pad to permit it to move toward and away from the mouth to vary the pitch of the tone, said pad being loosely mounted to provide for its sideways movement to vary the size of the mouth.

2. A musical wind instrument comprising a tubular body having an opening in one side wall to form a mouth, a spring pressed key mounted to move toward and away from said mouth and also side wise to vary the pitch of the tone.

3. A musical wind instrument comprising a. tubular body having an opening in one side wall to form a mouth, a pad movable toward and away from said mouth, a seat to support the pad and in which the pad is movable to vary the position of the pad relative to the mouth, and means for operating said pad.

t. A musical wind instrument comprising a tubular body having an opening in one side wall to form a mouth, a substantially U- shaped spring wire fixed at the free end of one arm to said body and having a coil formed intermediate its ends, the other arm overlying said coil which forms a combined spring and fulcrum for the overlying arm, said arm having its free end bent to overlie said mouth and equipped with a pad to cooperate with said mouth to control the pitch of the tone.

5. A musical wind instrument comprising a tubular body having an opening in one side wall to form a mouth, a substantially U- shaped spring wire fixed at the free end of one arm to said body and having a coil formed intermediate its ends, the other arm overlying said coil which forms a combined spring and fulcrum for the overlying arm, said arm having its free end bent to overlie said mouth and equipped with a pad to cooperate with said mouth to control the pitch of the tone, and a guide for said bent end.

TVILLI AM B. PARKINSON. 

